Just Start Where You Are with Sarah Jakes Roberts and Grow With Jo | Woman Evolve Podcast
Welcome, friends! If you’re looking for honest, faith-filled encouragement to keep moving forward in the midst of life’s uncertainty, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re diving into a powerful conversation from the Woman Evolve podcast, with Sarah Jakes Roberts and special guest Joanna – better known as Grow With Jo. Whether you’re pursuing purpose, managing motherhood, rebuilding your health, or just searching for your next step, let’s talk about the courage to just start where you are, and trust God with your journey.
Entering a Season of Uncertainty: Embracing God’s Daily Guidance
Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it. Maybe you’ve felt plans unravel, or found yourself in a season that’s left you questioning where God is leading you next. As Sarah shares, sometimes we enter a period where we don’t have answers and that’s okay. What matters isn’t having it all figured out, but learning to hold space for uncertainty and allow God to expand your capacity for what comes next.
Planning is faith in action, but the reality is that plans may shift, surprises will happen, and you might not feel ready. Instead of resisting that tension, Sarah encourages us to embrace the process and trust that God is increasing our resilience and faith, one step at a time. If you’re waiting for all the variables to be in place before you start, you may spend your whole life waiting. Move forward anyway, and let God meet you in the middle.
Navigating Change: Learning to Love What’s New
Change isn’t always comfortable, especially when we’re relearning routines, passions, or ways of being. Maybe you once loved a role or routine, but after a difficult season be it illness, transition, or loss you find that the energy you once had isn’t there anymore. It’s a common struggle for so many women, and Sarah relates deeply to feeling out of sync with the things that once brought her joy and meaning.
Here’s the freedom: You don’t have to love things the way you did before to still find value in them. Sometimes God lovingly alters our affections, nudging us into new rhythms that are more sustainable and aligned with the current season. If your passions or sense of fulfillment seem different, give yourself permission to explore what matters most now without guilt. Ask God to reveal what is truly important, and trust Him to reignite your joy at exactly the right time.
Restoring Daily Purpose: Small Steps Matter
Many times, rekindling passion isn’t about forcing yourself back to your old intensity. It’s about “dipping your toe in the water” testing what feels good, manageable, and life-giving right now. That might mean simply walking each day, reading scripture, or cooking a meal for your family. Often, fulfillment is rediscovered not just in reminiscing, but in participating, even in the smallest ways.
Don’t underestimate the power of starting small. Passion is a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. If you have even a spark to move forward, lean into it. Try something simple and see how it feels. God often meets us as we go, not just as we plan.
Grow With Jo: Faith Meets Fitness and Everyday Life
When it comes to stewarding your body and caring for your health, Joanna, known as Grow With Jo, brings years of personal experience helping women find consistency and confidence. Her story is deeply interwoven with her faith reminding us that God cares about our bodies, minds, and spirits.
From living-room workouts to Scripture-rooted encouragement, Joanna’s approach is all about accessibility. She’s quick to remind her community that you don’t need to have everything together before you begin. You just need to show up, however imperfectly. “Just start” isn’t just a fitness mantra it’s a spiritual invitation.
Overcoming Comparison and Finding Your Own Pace
The temptation to compare your progress with someone else’s is real especially when social media shows only the highlight reels of other women reaching their goals. Joanna encourages us to shift our focus. Instead of measuring yourself against someone else’s accomplishments, evaluate your own daily efforts. Are you consistently showing up for yourself? Are you surrendering the results to God?
Transformation is never instantaneous. When you see someone’s “before and after,” you’re not seeing the ordinary days in between: the setbacks, the recommitments, the prayers. Remember, your journey won’t look like anyone else’s, but God is faithful to honor your faithfulness. He asks for your effort; He’ll take care of the rest.
Spiritual Foundations: Scriptures for Hard Seasons
When life feels heavy or uncertain, lean into God’s Word. Joanna’s go-to passage is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” These words are a reminder to surrender both your understanding and your hopes to God trusting that He will lead you, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
An authentic spiritual life isn’t about grand gestures or rigid routines. Sometimes “just starting” spiritually looks like offering praise while doing dishes, praying as you walk, or whispering gratitude as you rock a child to sleep. God is present in every ordinary moment, meeting you as you welcome Him into the small things.
Motherhood, Business, and Balance: Embracing the Both-And
For mothers juggling multiple roles career, caregiving, marriage, and more the pressure to do everything “right” can feel crippling. Joanna has learned through her own journey that asking for help is both wise and necessary. You weren’t created to do life alone or be everything for everyone. Whether it’s reaching out to family, hiring support, or ultimately turning to God in humility, strength is found in community and surrender.
Instead of keeping
